Nisha Tamhankar, a science teacher at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, has always reminded her students to remember those who aren't as fortunate, but the worsening economy has resulted in even more philanthropic behavior from her students.

On Monday, Tamhankar took a group of eighth-grade students to the Yes, We Care Soup Kitchen, housed in the Zion Lutheran Church in Clark.

There, the students, along with Girl Scout troops and senior citizens from the surrounding area, made and wrapped sandwiches for lunches and dinners that the kitchen will later distribute.

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerEighth graders from the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison make sandwiches for the needy of Elizabeth in an assembly line in the We Care Soup Kitchen at Zion Lutheran Church. Shown from left to right are Kimberly Son, 13, of Woodbridge, Megha Reddy, 12, of Scotch Plains, Kush Mody, 13, of Edison, Jimmy Gorman, 14, of Metuchen and Selin Tekkoc, 13, of Edison.

"A big part of (their interest) was the economic downturn, everything they're hearing in the news about harder times, and more needy people," she noted. "So we thought it was especially important to make the best effort possible, given the situation and everything that's happening."

Tamhankar said the students have added new initiatives and built upon their existing outreach programs.

"This year we thought that, in addition to donating items, we could donate our time as well," she explained. "Our basic idea is that it's wonderful to buy things and give them away, but it makes it all the more meaningful to go into the community and do the giving yourself, with your own hands."

Megha Reddy, 12, was prompted to help others after seeing an increasing amount of negative economic news.

"The economy's kind of going down, and a lot of people need help," Megha, of Scotch Plains, said. "So because (my family is) fortunate, I wanted to give back to others."

Selin Tekkoc, 13, of Edison, said she was especially excited to take advantage of the outreach opportunities her school offered this year.

"I like to volunteer, to get involved ... and I'd never really volunteered for a soup kitchen," she said, adding that she hopes to lead her peers by example. "I think it's really important to volunteer -- I want to get kids at school to volunteer more."